DeTomaso Mailing List: July 97, Message #24
     



From: William King <wpk@fc.net>

Subject: tires

Date: Wed, 02 Jul 1997 10:27:40 +0000



Hi All,



Just a short contribution on a tire experience that I had

recently. Apologies if I'm the only one on the list that

didn't fully appreciate the difference a tire can make ...



When I purchased #1741 in Atlanta recently, it was fitted with

DOT approved Hoosier 60 series tires on 8" and 10" campys.

I was somewhat concerned about this because we (my bro' and I)

needed to drive the car back to Texas (from Georgia) and I'd heard

that Hoosiers get kinda slippery in the rain ;-) and that they are

somewhat fragile in the sidewall area. My concern was exacerbated by

the lack of space for a spare in the car and because the original

emergency spare had been tossed. We had a tire repair kit, two cans

of fix-a-flat, and reassurances from people who know (thanks Jack)

that these tires are good for at least 1000 miles of serious

slippin' and slidin' autocrossing !



Well, we hit a little rain leaving Georgia but lucked out and

had dry, cool weather all the way back and the tires performed

great ! Once the car was back in Texas, I took Mike Drew's

excellent advice (thanks yet again Mike !) offered earlier on this

list and swapped the (pretty worn by now) Hoosiers for BFG 245/50

ZR15 Comp/TA fronts and 305/50 HR15 Euro-TA rears (no very high speeds

planned ...). What a difference ! The steering lightened up probably

20-30%, the car didn't hunt nearly as badly on worn roads, and the

road-holding went DOWN about 20-30%. Those Hoosiers STICK !

I'm VERY happy with the BFGs for driving in real-world situations in

a Pantera, they fill the wheel wells nicely, and they probably

stick better than I can given my current driving abilities, but when

I get a chance to get some track time and learn how to drive this

car well, I GOTTA get another set of wheels and mount up some new

Hoosiers !



For what its worth,

William



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